Missouri
Why I’m taking Ole Miss football, Missouri to playoff but not Alabama or Vols | Toppmeyer
The College Football Playoff’s expansion to 12 teams has rewired my thinking on whether a team can qualify.
In the four-team playoff, qualification boiled down to avoiding losses – with the exception of 2023 Florida State’s snub. When I considered in the preseason whether a team was playoff material, I thought: Is this team good enough to finish with one loss or fewer? If I thought it could, then it was a playoff contender. If not, then it wasn’t.
With 12 playoff spots, an SEC or Big Ten team doesn’t need to go 13-0 to make the playoff. Not even 12-1 or 11-1. Now, I’m thinking: Is a team’s schedule easy enough for it to finish 10-2?
Scheduling will be more important than ever to a playoff quest. Say you’re in the Big Ten and your schedule lacks Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and Penn State. You’ve got a leg up on playoff qualification. Rutgers fits into this category. So, Rutgers as a playoff contender? Um, no. I have my limits. But, you get the idea.
I recently predicted the SEC will claim five spots in the inaugural 12-team playoff.
The qualifiers? Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, LSU and Missouri.
Alabama and Tennessee headline my close-but-just-missed list.
Why these five qualifiers? Do I think they’re the five best teams in the conference? Not exactly. I’d have Alabama in the top five of my SEC power rankings.
But, in Kalen DeBoer’s first season, Alabama will face one of the SEC’s most rugged schedules. Alabama’s schedule draw is tougher than that of Ole Miss, LSU and Missouri. If not for that, I’d place the Crimson Tide within my qualifying quintet.
Georgia and Texas are built to be the SEC’s best teams in 2024. Georgia must navigate a brutal schedule, with games against Texas, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Ole Miss, plus Clemson in the nonconference. The Bulldogs can handle it. Kirby Smart once again assembled one of the nation’s most talented rosters. Having proven quarterback Carson Beck helps, too. Georgia’s scheduling minefield doesn’t suit undefeated ambitions, but the Bulldogs should emerge from that gantlet at 10-2 or better and claim a playoff spot.
Texas’ schedule is tough, too, highlighted by games against Georgia, Michigan and Oklahoma. Steve Sarkisian used transfers to address needs after last year’s 12-win season. The Longhorns are pretty loaded. They can reach the playoff for a second straight year.
Once I navigate past Georgia and Texas, I start leaning more heavily on schedule analysis to influence my SEC playoff picks.
ANALYSIS: NCAA cries for help after loss to Tennessee in court. Expect no mercy
TOPPMEYER: Lane Kiffin on cover of EA Sports video game? Also consider Coach Prime
OPINION: Is Steve Sarkisian set to be Jimbo Fisher 2.0? I think not
Shake up Missouri’s schedule, and the Tigers would be fortunate to reach eight wins. But, Missouri will enjoy the SEC’s easiest schedule, including an enviable dose of Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas and South Carolina. The Tigers haven’t had it this good since they called the Big 12 North home. They’ll avoid Georgia, Texas, Ole Miss, LSU and Tennessee. Jackpot. Missouri becomes a playoff contender.
Ole Miss has it almost as good, with a schedule that steers clear of Georgia, Alabama and Texas. With fortune like that, the “Portal King” must be living right. The Rebels should reach 6-0 before even breaking a sweat. Playoff contender.
LSU has it tougher than Missouri and Ole Miss, but it avoids top dogs Georgia and Texas.
Tennessee’s schedule puts it on a fast track to playoff-contender status. The Vols will face Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma, but the draw looks favorable otherwise. But, I don’t trust that the Vols won’t stub their toe in another game. I still have images of the Vols losing to South Carolina in 2021 and getting trounced last year by Missouri looming on the mind.
What’s this, though, about a 12-team playoff that doesn’t include Alabama? Consider the possibility.
DeBoer’s first SEC tour includes Wisconsin (road), Georgia, LSU (road), Oklahoma (road), Missouri, Tennessee (road) and Auburn. Nick Saban scheduled his tee times at just the right moment.
Tide out of the playoff. Tigers, Tigers and Rebels in. The schedule tips the scales.
If only Alabama enjoyed the luxury of Rutgers’ schedule.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s SEC Columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.
A digital subscription will allow you access to all of his coverage. Also, check out his podcast, SEC Football Unfiltered, or access exclusive columns via the SEC Unfiltered newsletter.
Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri, police investigate deadly shooting at 4th and Holmes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Homicide detectives in Kansas City, Missouri, were called to the scene of a deadly shooting Saturday morning.
Just before 7 a.m. Saturday, police received a reported shooting call near E. 4th Street and Holmes Street.
When officers arrived, they located an adult male in the street who had been shot.
Paramedics transported the victim to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
A police spokesperson said detectives believe the victim had an interaction with one or more suspects in a vehicle when one of the suspects opened fire, striking the victim.
The spokesperson said the incident happened in an area with several apartment residences – detectives are interviewing potential witnesses for additional information.
—
If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
Missouri
Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for May 8, 2026
The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at May 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from May 8 drawing
37-47-49-51-58, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 4-6-2
Midday Wild: 6
Evening: 1-3-0
Evening Wild: 6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from May 8 drawing
Midday: 1-1-1-9
Midday Wild: 3
Evening: 8-8-9-9
Evening Wild: 8
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from May 8 drawing
Early Bird: 13
Morning: 11
Matinee: 15
Prime Time: 07
Night Owl: 13
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Show Me Cash numbers from May 8 drawing
02-18-20-23-36
Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.
To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:
Ticket Redemption
Missouri Lottery
P.O. Box 7777
Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777
For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.
For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.
When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
- Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
- Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
- Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Missouri
Judge denies Missouri attorney general’s bid to halt 7-OH kratom sales by American Shaman
A Jackson County judge on Friday denied Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s attempt to immediately stop Kansas City-based CBD American Shaman and several affiliated companies from selling kratom products.
The motion for a temporary restraining order, which was filed alongside the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, took particular aim at the more potent 7-OH products, which Hanaway argues are “hazardous opioids” banned by state and federal law.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Charles McKenzie’s ruling Friday stated there are “competing affidavits” from experts on both sides of the argument, following a hearing on the motion earlier this week.
“The court cannot find, based on the oral argument of the parties, the respective competing affidavits presented and the pleadings, whether the plaintiff is likely to succeed on the merits at this juncture in the proceedings in order for the court to grant relief in the form of a temporary restraining order,” McKenzie’s order states.
Hanaway’s argument was backed by sworn statements from an undercover narcotics officer with the highway patrol who said 7-OH is being used to cut fentanyl and a woman whose brother died from a kratom overdose. Her office also submitted a FDA report that points to 7-OH as “a potent opioid that poses an emerging public health threat” and state health data showing synthetic 7-OH was involved in at least 197 Missouri deaths.
American Shaman submitted statements of its own from five toxicology and addiction experts, who largely said there wasn’t enough evidence to show that 7-OH and kratom posed a public health risk. One who researched narcotics said she had never heard of 7-OH being used to cut fentanyl.
Company owner Vince Sanders’ statement detailed how he came up with the idea to create 7-OH products, which now has an “enormous” demand particularly among people who need pain management.
Sanders could not be reached for comment about the ruling Friday.
McKenzie denied a temporary restraining order “without prejudice,” meaning that he would like to see more evidence.
“It is because of this finding that the court determines it necessary to hold an additional hearing,” he wrote, “where it can consider the parties respective positions with the potential of testimonial evidence and other properly introduced evidence, all as more fully developed by the parties, in order to further analyze these issues.”
The judge will consider “other injunctive relief sought in the pleadings at a future hearing to consider the issues,” the order states.
Hanaway filed a similar lawsuit Thursday against Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC, and its owners Dustin Robinson and Ajaykumar Patel.
The group received a warning letter from the FDA for producing 7-OH products last year similar to one received by Shaman Botanicals.
“This is another step in our ongoing crackdown on kratom manufacturers who flout the law and try to justify endangering Missourians in the name of profit,” Hanaway said in a press release Thursday. “Our mission is to safeguard Missourians from unregulated and addictive substances, and we will continue to pursue every legal tool available to protect public health and safety.”
This story was originally published by the Missouri Independent.
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